Bombers resist call to move Hooker out of forward line

ESSENDON will stick with using Cale Hooker up forward against the Giants when the two sides clash at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Former Melbourne forward Garry Lyon said this week that Hooker "is playing like he has no idea what he's doing" in attack but coach John Worsfold said he would be sticking with him, though a return to defence was considered against the Giants' multi-pronged forward line.

"He'll play forward. But certainly we were having a look at options," Worsfold said.

"There's other areas of our game that we've got to improve to make sure that that forward line gets more opportunity."

Worsfold said he expected Darcy Parish to return after the bye and that Matthew Leuenberger would play in the VFL this week.

Meanwhile, GWS coach Leon Cameron said Joe Daniher would be a huge threat to his side's chances of winning.

Cameron said the big forward, who has kicked 29 goals this season, was now beginning to realise his potential.

"It was only a matter of time, and these young key forwards need that time. He's an exceptional young talent," he said.

"He's 200cm and can win the ball on the ground, and that's very rare.

"We feel as though we've got a player like that here in Rory Lobb. They can play in the air equally as well as they can on the ground, and play in the ruck.

"His last three or four weeks have been exceptional, and it's a huge task for Aidan Corr and Phil Davis to make sure that his influence is not helping them get over the line.

"They've got a pretty good player in (Cale) Hooker as well, he gives a really good marking contest for them, and James Stewart is playing some good footy as well. So they've got a really good three-pronged attack and it's a very dangerous forward line."